Lighted hand tool

Abstract

A lighted hand tool, such as a lighted plier tool, including first and second plier members and a light source. Each plier member having a handle portion, a jaw portion, and a pivot section being intermediate the handle portion and the jaw portion for each plier member. The second plier member pivotally mounted relative to the pivot section of the first plier member at the pivot section of the second plier member for being pivotable relative to the first plier member. The handle portion of the first plier member defining a bore longitudinally extending along at least a portion of the length of the handle portion, the bore having a bore front end near the first pivot section. The light source is disposed within the bore of the handle portion adjacent the bore front end and is capable of producing a beam of light. Thus, the light source is energized from a power means, the beam of light produced by the light source is in communication with at least one portion of the first and second plier members.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A lighted plier, comprising: 
       a. a first plier member, a second plier member, each plier member having a handle portion, a jaw portion, and a pivot section intermediate the handle portion and the jaw portion, the handle portion of the first plier member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a length extending between the proximal and distal ends, the handle portion of the first plier member defining a bore longitudinally extending along at least a portion of the length, the bore having a bore front end near the pivot section of the first plier member and an opposed bore back end adjacent the proximal end of the handle portion of the first plier member, the second plier member pivotally mounted relative to the pivot section of the first plier member at the pivot section of the second plier member to be pivotally moveable relative to the first plier member;  
       b. a light source capable of producing a beam of light, the light source disposed within the bore of the handle portion adjacent the bore front end, wherein the beam of light produced by the light source is in communication with at least a portion of the first and second plier members;  
       c. at least one elongated optically conductive tube having a first end proximal to and in communication with the light source and an opposed second end which forms a light aperture, wherein the beam of light produced by the light source is in communication with the first end of the tube and travels from the first end to the second end thereof to exit out of the light aperture;  
       d. a guide head disposed within the bore of the handle portion of the first plier member between the bore front end of the bore and the light source, the guide head having at least one channel extending therethrough, wherein the first end of the tube is connected to the channel; and  
       e. power means for energizing the light source.  
     
     
       2. The lighted plier of claim  1 , wherein the light source comprises: 
       a. a light bulb disposed adjacent the bore front end; and  
       b. a reflective shield circumscribing at least a portion of the light bulb so that, when the light bulb produces light, the reflective shield reflects a portion of the light to form a light beam that is directed toward the bore front end.  
     
     
       3. The lighted plier of claim  1 , wherein the power means is disposed within the bore of the handle portion of the first plier member intermediate the light source and the bore back end of the bore. 
     
     
       4. The lighted plier of claim  1 , further comprising a pivot shaft, wherein the first plier member has a first opening extending through the pivot section of the first plier member, wherein the second plier member has a second opening extending through the pivot section of the second plier member, and wherein the pivot shaft extends through the first and the second openings for pivotally interconnecting the first and second plier members. 
     
     
       5. The lighted plier of claim  4 , wherein the first opening is shaped and dimensioned to prevent lateral movement of the first plier member relative to the pivot shaft. 
     
     
       6. The lighted plier of claim  5 , wherein the second opening is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate lateral movement of the second plier member relative to the pivot shaft. 
     
     
       7. The lighted plier of claim  1 , wherein the first plier member has an exterior surface, and wherein the second end of the tube is secured to the exterior surface of the first plier member proximate the pivot section of the first plier member. 
     
     
       8. The lighted plier of claim  7 , wherein the optically conductive tube extends along a portion of the exterior surface of the first plier member, the lighted plier further comprising a grip cover encasing a portion of the tube extending on the exterior surface of the first plier member and a portion of the exterior surface of the handle portion and the pivot section of the first plier member so that the second end of the tube is secured relative to the first plier member. 
     
     
       9. The lighted plier of claim  1 , wherein the jaw portion of the first plier member has a front end and an opposed back end proximate the pivot section of the first plier member, wherein the second end of the tube is connected to the first plier member near the back end of the jaw portion. 
     
     
       10. The lighted plier of claim  1 , wherein the jaw portion of the first plier member has a front end and an opposed back end proximate the pivot section of the first plier member, and wherein the second end of the tube is connected to the first plier member near the front end of the jaw portion of the first plier member. 
     
     
       11. The lighted plier of claim  1 , wherein the light plier includes a first elongated optically conductive tube and a second elongated optically conductive tube, wherein the jaw portion of the first plier member has a front end and an opposed back end proximate the pivot section of the first plier member, wherein the second end of the first tube is connected to the first plier member near the front end of the jaw portion of the first plier member, and wherein the second end of the second tube is connected to the first plier member near the back end of the first jaw portion of the first plier member. 
     
     
       12. A lighted plier, comprising: 
       a. a first plier member and a second plier member, each plier member having a handle portion, a pivot section, and a jaw portion, the pivot section positioned intermediate the handle portion and the jaw portion for each plier member, each plier member further having respective first and second openings formed through the pivot sections of the respective first and second plier members, wherein the handle portion of the first plier member has a distal end, a proximal end and a length extending between the proximal and distal ends, the first handle portion defining a bore longitudinally extending along at least a portion of the length, the bore having a bore front end near the pivot section of the first plier section and an opposite bore back end adjacent the proximal end of the first handle portion;  
       b. a pivot shaft extending through the first and second openings of the respective the first and the second plier member for pivotally interconnecting the first and the second plier members so that the plier members are moveable between a closed position, in which a portion of the jaw portions of the first and second plier members contact each other, and an opened position, in which the jaw portions are spaced apart;  
       c. a light source capable of producing a beam of light, the light source disposed within the bore of the handle portion of the first plier member adjacent the bore front end;  
       d. a light guide assembly having at least one elongated optically conductive tube having a first light end and a second light end forming a light aperture, the first light end of each tube is secured proximate to the light source within the bore so that the first light end is in communication with the light source, the second light end is connected to the first plier member;  
       e. a guide head disposed within the bore of the handle portion next to the bore front end and intermediate the bore front end and the light source, wherein the first light end of the optically conductive tube is secured to the guide head; and  
       f. power means for energizing the light source,  
       wherein the beam of light produced by the light source communicates with the first light end of the tube of the light guide assembly and travels from the first light end to the second light end of each optically conductive tube to exit out of the light aperture. 
     
     
       13. The lighted plier of claim  12 , wherein the guide head includes at least one channel extending therethrough, each channel sized to complementarily the first light end of one optically conductive tube. 
     
     
       14. The lighted plier of claim  13 , wherein the first plier member comprises two spaced-apart, opposing, first plates, a first handle body, and a first jaw assembly, each first plate having a first plate front end, an opposing first plate back end, a first plate inner surface, and an opposing first plate exterior surface, the first opening of the first plier member extending through each of the opposing first plates forming the first plier member such that the first openings of the first plates are substantially co-axial, wherein the first handle body has a proximal face and a distal face, at least a portion of the first handle body interposed between and engaged thereto the first plate inner surfaces of the opposed first plates so that the proximal face of the first handle body is adjacent the first plate back ends, wherein the first jaw assembly has a jaw front end and a jaw back end, at least a portion of the first jaw assembly interposed between and engaged thereto the first plate inner surfaces so that the jaw front end is proximate the first plate front ends to form the jaw portion of the first plier member, wherein the jaw back end, the distal end of the first handle body, and the portions of the first plate inner surfaces extending between the jaw back end and the distal end of the first handle body and having the first openings define a slot that forms the pivot section of the first plier member. 
     
     
       15. The lighted plier of claim  14 , wherein the bore of the handle portion of the first plier member extends through the first handle body of the first plier member from the proximal face to the distal face of the first handle body so that the bore front end is proximate the distal face of the first handle body and the bore back end is proximate the proximal face of the first handle body. 
     
     
       16. The lighted plier of claim  14 , wherein the second plier member has an exterior surface, and wherein the portions of the first plate inner surfaces of the first plates forming the pivot section of the first plier member face the exterior surface of the first plier member proximate the pivot section of the second plier member, and wherein the first opening of the first plier member and the second opening of the second plier member are co-axial to each other. 
     
     
       17. The lighted plier of claim  14 , wherein the second plier member comprises two spaced-apart, opposing, second plates, a second handle body, and a second jaw assembly, each second plate having a second plate front end, an opposing second plate back end, a second plate inner surface, and an opposing second plate exterior surface, the second opening of the second plier member extending through each of the opposing second plates forming the second plier member such that the second openings of the second plates are substantially co-axial, wherein the second handle body has a proximal face and a distal face, at least a portion of the second handle body interposed between and engaged thereto the second plate inner surfaces of the opposed second plates so that the proximal face of the second handle body is adjacent the second plate back ends, wherein at least a portion of the second jaw assembly is interposed between and engaged thereto the second plate inner surfaces of the opposed second plates proximate the second plate front ends of the second plates to form the jaw portion of the second plier member, wherein the second jaw assembly, the distal face of the second handle body, and the portions of the inner surfaces of the second plates extending between the second jaw assembly and the distal face of the second handle body and having the second openings define an gap that forms the pivot section of the second plier member. 
     
     
       18. The lighted plier of claim  17 , wherein the portions of the second plate inner surfaces forming the pivot section of the second plier member face the first plate exterior surfaces of the first plates proximate the pivot section of the first plier member. 
     
     
       19. The lighted plier of claim  12 , wherein the light source comprises: 
       a. a light bulb disposed adjacent the first light end of the optically conductive tube of the light guide assembly; and  
       b. a reflective shield circumscribing at least a portion of the light bulb so that, when the light bulb produces light, the reflective shield reflects a portion of the light to form a light beam that is directed toward the first light end head of the light bulb assembly.  
     
     
       20. The lighted plier of claim  12 , wherein the power means is disposed within the bore of the handle portion of the first plier member intermediate the light source and the back end of the bore. 
     
     
       21. The lighted plier of claim  14 , wherein the first jaw assembly comprises at least one jaw plate. 
     
     
       22. The lighted plier of claim  17 , wherein the second jaw assembly comprises at least one jaw plate. 
     
     
       23. The lighted plier of claim  12 , wherein the first opening is shaped and dimensioned to prevent lateral movement of the first plier member relative to the pivot shaft. 
     
     
       24. The lighted plier of claim  23 , wherein the second opening is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate lateral movement of the second plier member relative to the pivot shaft. 
     
     
       25. The lighted plier of claim  16 , wherein the second light end of the optically conductive tube is secured to the first plate exterior surface of the first plate of the first plier member proximate the pivot section of the first plier member. 
     
     
       26. The lighted plier of claim  25 , wherein the optically conductive tube extends along a portion of the exterior surface of the first plier member, further comprising a grip cover encasing at least a portion of the tube extending on the exterior surface of the first plier member and a portion of the exterior surface of the handle portion and the pivot section of the first plier member so that the second light end of the optically conductive tube is secured relative to the first plier member. 
     
     
       27. The lighted plier of claim  14 , wherein the second light end of the optically conductive tube is connected to the first plier member near the jaw back end of the jaw assembly of the first plier member. 
     
     
       28. The lighted plier of claim  14 , wherein the second light end of the optically conductive tube is connected to the first plier member near the jaw front end of the first jaw portion. 
     
     
       29. The lighted plier of claim  14 , wherein the light plier includes a first elongated optically conductive tube and a second elongated optically conductive tube, wherein the second light end of the first optically conductive tube is connected to the first plier member near the jaw front end of the first jaw portion, and wherein the second light end of the second optically conductive tube is connected to the first plier member near the jaw back end of the first jaw portion. 
     
     
       30. A method of illuminating a portion of a work piece that is proximate to a portion of a lighted plier, the lighted plier including a first plier member and a second plier member, each plier member having a handle portion, a jaw portion, and a pivot section intermediate the handle portion and the jaw portion, the handle portion of the first plier member defining a bore, the bore having a bore front end near the pivot section of the first plier member, the second plier member pivotally mounted relative to the pivot section of the first plier member at the pivot section of the second plier member to be pivotally moveable relative to the first plier member, the first plier member having a first opening extending through the pivot section of the first plier member, the first opening shaped and dimensioned to prevent lateral movement of the first plier member relative to the pivot shaft and the second plier member having a second opening extending through the pivot section of the second plier member, the lighted plier including a pivot shaft extending through the first and the second openings for pivotally interconnecting the first and second plier members, the lighted plier further including a light source disposed therein the bore of the handle portion of the first plier member, comprising energizing the light source so as to produce a beam of light that is in communication with at least one portion of the jaw portion of the first plier member and at least one portion of the work piece. 
     
     
       31. A lighted plier, comprising: 
       a. a first plier member, a second plier member, each plier member having a handle portion, a jaw portion, and a pivot section intermediate the handle portion and the jaw portion, the handle portion of the first plier member having a proximal end and defining a bore, the bore having a bore front end near the pivot section of the first plier member and an opposed bore back end adjacent the proximal end of the handle portion of the first plier member, the second plier member pivotally mounted relative to the pivot section of the first plier member at the pivot section of the second plier member to be pivotally moveable relative to the first plier member;  
       b. a light source capable of producing a beam of light, the light source disposed within the bore of the handle portion adjacent the bore front end;  
       c. a pivot shaft, wherein the first plier member has a first opening extending through the pivot section of the first plier member, the first opening shaped and dimensioned to prevent lateral movement of the first plier member relative to the pivot shaft; wherein the second plier member has a second opening extending through the pivot section of the second plier member, wherein the pivot shaft extends through the first and the second openings for pivotally interconnecting the first and second plier members; and  
       d. power means for energizing the light source.  
     
     
       32. The lighted plier of claim  31 , wherein the beam of light produced by the light source is in communication with at least a portion of the first and second plier members. 
     
     
       33. The lighted plier of claim  31 , further comprising at least one elongated optically conductive tube having a first end proximal to and in communication with the light source and an opposed second end which forms a light aperture, wherein the beam of light produced by the light source is in communication with the first end of the tube and travels from the first end to the second end thereof to exit out of the light aperture. 
     
     
       34. The lighted plier of claim  33 , further comprising a guide head disposed within the bore of the handle portion of the first plier member between the bore front end of the bore and the light source, the guide head having at least one channel extending therethrough, wherein the first end of the tube is connected to the channel. 
     
     
       35. The lighted plier of claim  31 , wherein the second opening is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate lateral movement of the second plier member relative to the pivot shaft. 
     
     
       36. A lighted plier, comprising: 
       a. a first plier member, a second plier member, each plier member having a handle portion, a jaw portion, and a pivot section intermediate the handle portion and the jaw portion, the handle portion of the first plier member having a proximal end and defining a bore, the bore having a bore front end near the pivot section of the first plier member and an opposed bore back end adjacent the proximal end of the handle portion of the first plier member, the second plier member pivotally mounted relative to the pivot section of the first plier member at the pivot section of the second plier member to be pivotally moveable relative to the first plier member;  
       b. a light source capable of producing a beam of light, the light source disposed within the bore of the handle portion adjacent the bore front end;  
       c. at least one elongated optically conductive tube having a first end proximal to and in communication with the light source and an opposed second end which forms a light aperture, wherein the beam of light produced by the light source is in communication with the first end of the tube and travels from the first end to the second end thereof to exit out of the light aperture; and  
       d. power means for energizing the light source,  
       wherein the jaw portion of the first plier member has a front end and an opposed back end proximate the pivot section of the first plier member, and wherein the second end of the tube is connected to the first plier member near the front end of the jaw portion of the first plier member. 
     
     
       37. The lighted plier of claim  36 , wherein the beam of light produced by the light source is in communication with at least a portion of the first and second plier members. 
     
     
       38. A lighted plier, comprising: 
       a. a first plier member, a second plier member, each plier member having a handle portion, a jaw portion, and a pivot section intermediate the handle portion and the jaw portion, the handle portion of the first plier member having a proximal end and defining a bore, the bore having a bore front end near the pivot section of the first plier member and an opposed bore back end adjacent the proximal end of the handle portion of the first plier member, the second plier member pivotally mounted relative to the pivot section of the first plier member at the pivot section of the second plier member to be pivotally moveable relative to the first plier member;  
       b. a light source capable of producing abeam of light, the light source disposed within the bore of the handle portion adjacent the bore front end;  
       c. a first elongated optically conductive tube and a second elongated optically conductive tube, each elongated optically conductive tube having a first end proximal to and in communication with the light source and an opposed second end which forms a light aperture, wherein the beam of light produced by the light source is in communication with the first end of the tube and travels from the first end to the second end thereof to exit out of the light aperture; and  
       d. power means for energizing the light source,  
       wherein the jaw portion of the first plier member has a front end and an opposed back end proximate the pivot section of the first plier member, wherein the second end of the first optically conductive tube is connected to the first plier member near the front end of the jaw portion of the first plier member, and wherein the second end of the second optically conductive tube is connected to the first plier member near the back end of the first jaw portion of the first plier member. 
     
     
       39. The lighted plier of claim  38 , wherein the beam of light produced by the light source is in communication with at least a portion of the first and second plier members. 
     
     
       40. An lighted plier, comprising: 
       a. a first plier member and a second plier member, each plier member having a handle portion, a pivot section, and a jaw portion, the pivot section positioned intermediate the handle portion and the jaw portion for each plier member, each plier member further having respective first and second openings formed through the pivot sections of the respective first and second plier members, wherein the first opening is shaped and dimensioned to prevent lateral movement of the first plier member relative to the pivot shaft and the second opening is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate lateral movement of the second plier member relative to the pivot shaft, and wherein the handle portion of the first plier member has a proximal end and defining a bore, the bore having a bore front end near the pivot section of the first plier section and an opposite bore back end adjacent the proximal end of the first handle portion;  
       b. a pivot shaft extending through the first and second openings of the respective the first and the second plier member for pivotally interconnecting the first and the second plier members so that the plier members are moveable between a closed position, in which a portion of the jaw portions of the first and second plier members contact each other, and an opened position, in which the jaw portions are spaced apart;  
       c. a light source capable of producing a beam of light, the light source disposed within the bore of the handle portion of the first plier member adjacent the bore front end;  
       d. a light guide assembly having at least one elongated optically conductive tube having a first light end and a second light end forming a light aperture, the first light end of each tube is secured proximate to the light source within the bore so that the first light end is in communication with the light source, the second light end is connected to the first plier member; and  
       e. power means for energizing the light source,  
       wherein the beam of light produced by the light source communicates with the first light end of the tube of the light guide assembly and travels from the first light end to the second light end of each optically conductive tube to exit out of the light aperture. 
     
     
       41. The lighted plier of claim  40 , further comprising a guide head disposed within the bore of the handle portion next to the bore front end and intermediate the bore front end and the light source, wherein the first light end of the optically conductive tube is secured to the guide head. 
     
     
       42. The lighted plier of claim  41 , wherein the guide head includes at least one channel extending therethrough, each channel sized to complementarily the first light end of one optically conductive tube. 
     
     
       43. The lighted plier of claim  40 , wherein the power means is disposed within the bore of the handle portion of the first plier member intermediate the light source and the back end of the bore. 
     
     
       44. The lighted plier of claim  40 , wherein the jaw portion of the first plier member has a front end and an opposed back end proximate the pivot section of the first plier member, and wherein the second light end of the optically conductive tube is connected to the first plier member near the jaw back end of the jaw portion of the first plier member. 
     
     
       45. The lighted plier of claim  40 , wherein the jaw portion of the first plier member has a front end and an opposed back end proximate the pivot section of the first plier member, wherein the second light end of the optically conductive tube is connected to the first plier member near the jaw front end of the jaw portion of the first plier member. 
     
     
       46. The lighted plier of claim  40 , wherein the light plier includes a first elongated optically conductive tube and a second elongated optically conductive tube, wherein the jaw portion of the first plier member has a front end and an opposed back end proximate the pivot section of the first plier member, wherein the second end of the first tube is connected to the first plier member near the front end of the jaw portion of the first plier member, and wherein the second end of the second tube is connected to the first plier member near the back end of the first jaw portion of the first plier member.